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“Relieved. It feels good to get some of this off my chest, and to know that I’m not completely out of mind crazy.”
Dee laughs. “No, Jeni, you’re not crazy. You’re not even mildly crazy. The reactions you’re having are normal. I think it is safe to say that your self-diagnosis of PTSD is right on the money. You need to find a new coping strategy, though, and that’s why you’ve come to me. I’ll see you again in a week.” Dee stands, walks over, and puts out her hand. “It was nice to meet you, Jeni, and you also, Bree. It’s good that Jeni has wonderful support system around her.”
I shake her hand, and Bree and I leave to walk out to the car.
“You didn’t make another appointment?” Bree asks, getting into the driver’s side.
“No. I might try this out on my own for a while using some of the things she said. If I need to see her again, I will.”
The disappointment on Bree’s face radiates as she shakes her head, but she pulls out into the traffic with a heavy exhale and says nothing more.
Stopping at a little lunch bar, we grab something to eat. That way, we can blame our absence on the service being terrible, making our excuse bulletproof.
Heading back to the office, the elevator doors open, and Niall and Aiden are standing in the foyer with Mike, and Aiden’s on his phone.
They all look up at the same time.
Aiden ends the call and rushes over. “Oh, thank God!” Pulling me into a tight embrace, he then holds me at arm’s length. “Where the fuck were you? Why didn’t you have your phone with you? I was worried sick, and both of you were gone. I couldn’t reach Bree either. I was terrified someone had taken you, Jeni. Don’t you dare scare me like that again.”
Guilt swarms every inch of me for leaving without telling him.
“We went out for lunch. The restaurant was exasperatingly slow bringing our food out. Sorry, Aiden,” Brielle placates.
Aiden creases his eyebrows. “Why weren’t either of you answering your phones?”
“Mine’s on silent.” Bree shrugs.
“I think I left mine at home in this morning’s rush,” I reply truthfully.
He exhales. “Can you please tell me before you go off somewhere together? You scared me. You were gone for nearly two hours, Jeni.” He pulls me to him again, kissing my forehead.
“Sorry.”
“Yeah, sorry. We didn’t mean to cause any problems or make you worry,” Bree offers, walking toward her desk.
“Not good enough, Brielle,” Niall chides her sternly.
“Sorry, Father. Won’t happen again.” She sits at her desk, and I can tell she doesn’t give a fuck what her father says.
Niall glares at me before storming back to his office.
Mike walks over and stands with Aiden while I sit at my desk. “Glad you’re both fine, Miss Taylor.” Mike pats Aiden on the back before he leaves.
“Why was Mike here?” I whisper.
“I called him to see if he had taken you anywhere. When he said he hadn’t, he came up to try and help us find you,” Aiden says softly, taking my arm and lifting me gently from my seat. I look at him curiously as he walks me to his office.
He’s hurt. I can tell by the look on his face. It makes me disappointed in myself that I put him through this. He leads me to his office, closing the door behind him. Instead of yelling at me—like I deserve—he spins me around, pushes me against the door, and presses his body into mine. “I was so worried,” his voice is low, deep, and somber. But before I can speak, his lips are on mine in a frenzied kiss. I kiss him back with the same passion as my fingers get lost in his hair. He pushes his body weight against me harder while his kisses are so forceful, it’s almost painful. Slowly, he eases the kiss, and eventually our lips part, then he rests his forehead on mine.
“I was so fucking scared,” he says as our breathing slows. “I thought… I thought, maybe Jason had gotten out and came after you… or something had happened with Erik.” He runs his hand through his hair. “Fuck! I don’t know what I was thinking, but I was terrified.”
I feel really shit for making him think that way. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper as overwhelming guilt washes over me.
Easing his body away from mine, he touches my face. “Don’t be sorry. Next time, make sure you tell me you’re leaving. It was the worst moment of my life when I realized you were gone without a trace.”
“I’ll make sure I tell you in the future. Is your father angry with me?”
Aiden chuckles and leads me over to the sofa. “Unfortunately, he’s beyond angry. But don’t worry about him, I’ll ensure he keeps his distance from you.”
